Microsoft readies own anti-spyware and anti-virus

Wondering what Microsoft is going to do with their acquisition of anti-spyware firm Giant Company? Why, use it to provide their own anti-spyware software, of course, with the first public beta being made available now. They also plan to release a virus detection and removal tool on 11th January, with planned updates for the first Tuesday of every month.

As previously reported, the spyware zapper is an exact replica of the Giant Company application acquired late last year.

Microsoft has retained all of the key Giant AntiSpyware features, including RealTime Detection, AutoUpdater, Spyware Scan and the widely hailed SpyNet Community network, which provides an early-warning mechanism.

Analysts expect the company to start charging for definition updates once the spyware detection and removal tool reaches its first proper release.